This song was originally written by original Metallica member and Megadeth founder Dave Mustaine. The lyrics were originally about teen sexual frustration, as seen in Megadeth’s recording of Mustaine’s version, “Mechanix.” Later, it was rewritten to be about The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.
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[Verse 1]
By the last breath of the fourth winds blow
Better raise your ears
The sound of hooves knock at your door
Lock up your wife and children now
It's time to wield the blade
For now you've got some company
[Chorus]
The horsemen are drawing nearer
On the leather steeds they ride
They've come to take your life
On through the dead of night
With the four horsemen ride
Or choose your fate and die
Aw yeah, yeah!
[Verse 2]
You've been dying since the day you were born
You know it's all been planned
The quartet of deliverance rides
A sinner once a sinner twice
No need for confession now
'Cause now you have got the fight of your life
[Chorus]
The horsemen are drawing nearer
On the leather steeds they ride
They've come to take your life
On through the dead of night
With the four horsemen ride
Or choose your fate and die
Aw yeah, yeah!
[Instrumental Break]
[Bridge]
Time! Has taken its toll on you
The lines that crack your face
Famine! Your body, it has torn through
Withered in every place
Pestilence! For what you've had to endure
And what you have put others through
Death! Deliverance for you for sure
Now there's nothing you can do
[Instrumental Break]
[Guitar Solo]
[Verse 3]
So gather round, young warriors, now
And saddle up your steeds
Killing scores with demon swords
Now's the death of doers of wrong
Swing the judgment hammer down
Safely inside armor: blood, guts, and sweat
[Chorus]
The horsemen are drawing nearer
On the leather steeds they ride
They've come to take your life
On through the dead of night
With the four horsemen ride
Or choose your fate and die
Aw yeah, yeah!
[Guitar Solo]
The Four Horsemen was written by James Hetfield & Lars Ulrich & Dave Mustaine.
The Four Horsemen was produced by Paul Curcio.
Metallica released The Four Horsemen on Mon Jul 25 1983.
Dave [Mustaine, Megadeth leader] brought in some things he had from his old band, Panic—things he’d been jamming, bigger-picture ideas, stuff like that. The song “The Four Horsemen” was, in its early version, called “Mechanix,” and it was literally a song about sex. There were lyrics about taking th...